Wednesday, December 23, 2015

“Strange to see how a good dinner and feasting reconciles everybody.” ~ Samuel Pepys

I am somewhat of an unconventional, adventurous person when I cook and in life. After all that is my point. I like to cook dishes that are tasty and quick. My time is limited like everyone else in the world. In addition, I like to mix traditional American dishes with favorite Mexican dishes from my homeland. I personally believe it works well together.

Today I am going to start off with home-made guacamole and regular brand corn chips. The main course is Whiskey Black Pepper marinated pork spare ribs (“Kroger’s brand”), black bean soup, Mexican rice and lightly buttered Parmesan zucchini. I am going to include a simple cucumber salad with my favorite drink; “Bare foot’s” Pink Champagne. There will be a simple pumpkin cheesecake desert by “The Father’s Table”. The cheesecake is brilliant and to die for by the way. So, here we go folks!

Background music will be by the brilliant musician from Lincoln Park, Michigan, Bob Seger’s “Living inside My Heart Now”. The video was upload on YouTube May 7, 2008 by Gsxrjo. Bob Segar’s music genre is considered rock, heartland rock, roots rock, rock and roll, pop rock, country rock, hard rock, blue-eyed soul.

I am using ingredients that are listed below. My pictures are based off of small portions. So, I don’t screw up my diet program LOL!

Whiskey Black Pepper marinated pork spare ribs (Kroger brand)

Cooking Directions:

Remove ribs from package:

§Pre-heat oven to 335°F to 350°F. Transfer ribs to a foil lined, shallow pan and loosely tent ribs with another piece of foil over top.

§Place ribs in pre-heated oven and cook for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. For a more dried appearance, the top foil can be removed for the last 20 minutes of cooking.

Ingredients: A pack (four to five ribs) the Kroger brand of Whiskey Black Pepper marinated pork spare ribs. Add garlic pepper spice, black pepper ground and lemon pepper all of which are by McCormick.

Black Bean Soup

Like potatoes are a staple in some house-holds, black Bean Soup is a tradition in my home for Sunday dinners or when I feel like eating some food from my homeland. Use a medium pot adding a portion of ingredients and cooked over medium high burner for at least 2 hours until the bean is soft. Keep adding water as necessary.

1 ½ Cups dried black beans (10 oz.), picked over and rinsed

After an hour and half:

1 Small red onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice (3/4 cup)

½ Teaspoon chopped garlic

½ Teaspoon finely chopped (seedless) fresh jalapeno

¼ Teaspoon chili pepper

3 Chicken bouillon cubes

¾ Teaspoon black pepper

5 Tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

A dash of salt

Mexican Rice

First you need to brown the long grain rice until it starts to puff like popcorn. Long grain rice is the secret. It is important that you stir constantly. Once browned, drain off the grease, adding the following ingredients and cook on medium heat until the water (three fingers above the rice) has almost evaporated. It is important you do not add to much water and over cooker the rice. Then turn off the heat and cover leaving the pan on the warm burner for about 15 – 20 minutes.

3 Fingers of water above the rice

1 Can of ROTEL tomatoes

½ Medium red onion chopped

½ Teaspoon finely chopped (seedless) fresh jalapeno

2 Cups long grain white rice

1 Cup canola oil

1 Minced garlic clove

3 Chicken bouillon cubes

¼ Cup fresh cilantro, minced

A dash of salt and black pepper

Zucchini

First you need to purchase about five to six fresh zucchinis, cut the ends off and slice across. Then place in a pot of boiling water. I always add ground black pepper, garlic and a dash of salt; leaving them in for about 4 to 5 minutes tops, drain, cover and let sit. At this point add a tab of light butter and fresh grated Parmesan cheese.

Cucumber Salad

First you need to purchase about two large cucumbers, one green bell pepper, one orange bell pepper, two tomatoes and 2 limes. Peal the skin off the cucumber and remove the seeds from the bell peppers. Slice all the ingredients and place in a large container. Add the lime juice, a dash of salt, ground pepper and garlic. Finally use only a 2 tablespoons of any Italian clear dressing. Toss and it is ready!

Thoughts:

I don’t spend a lot of time with the traditional steps in cooking because with these dishes it really does not matter, the taste is amazing and honestly time is important to me. BTW I took out the good China LMAO....

Oh! The guacamole is made with three fresh avocadoes smashed up (I always use a molcajete). Once done, stir in pica-de-gallo (chopped up tomatoes, jalapenos, red onions and cilantro) and a dash of salt and pepper. Always leave a seed or two in the guacamole to avoid losing its color.

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Introduction:

“Seduce my mind and you can have my body, find my soul and I’m yours forever.”

~ M.D. Waters, Archetype

Well, schools out! Two weeks of sleeping late and doing whatever the heck I want to do, just brilliant! It’s the last of 2015 and what a year… I am sad to see it go. It was a roll-a-coaster of emotion, to say the least! The exciting thing is that “do nothing, wishing Diana”, acted and stepped out of that iron box. I took one hell of a ride on the risk train/plane and would do it again and again. LOL! People need to do this more often, I highly recommend it. To hell with the noise and take a chance on your heart’s desire, your dreams. Make it happen… Now back to me… What was that amazing thing? It is a story for a different day (smile).

2016:

I pray for the health and happiness of my family and friends. To my son and is his new bride, may you share friendship, love, spirituality, passion and a lifetime of happy memories. To my daughter, I pray you land on your feet, find your passion and success. To my beautiful granddaughter, Teah, embrace life and seize your dreams. Do not set them aside. To my middle brother, Jim, I am praying for your health and me here for you. To the rest of my family and dear, dear, friends, know I love you all dearly and hope 2016 will be the most brilliant year in our lives.

Tonight’s song is dedicated to you Sugar and that’s all I am going to say… The music selection is titled "Lady Antebellum-Can't take my eyes off you” and yes this is truly one of my favorite groups. They are straight up country from Nashville, Tennessee. I do love the South, its music, soul, independence, character, culture, and amazing food. This includes the great state of Texas! Which by the way reminds me of another place as well… Much love to Australia!

I have added the lyrics for your reading pleasure...

"Can't Take My Eyes Off You" (3)I know that the bridges that I've burnedAlong the wayHave left me with these walls and these scarsThat won't go awayAnd opening up has always been the hardest thingUntil you came[Chorus:]So lay here beside me, just hold me and don't let goThis feelin' I'm feelin' is somethin' I've never knownAnd I just can't take my eyes off youAnd I just can't take my eyes off youI love when you tell me that I'm pretty[Album version:] When I just wake up[Acoustic version:] When I just woke upAnd I love how you tease me when I'm moody[Album version:] But it's never too much[Acoustic version:] And it's always enough[Album version:] I'm falling fast but the truth is I'm not scared at all[Acoustic version:] I'm falling fast and the truth is I'm not scared at all[Album version:] You're climbin' my walls[Acoustic version:] You broke my walls[Chorus]Off youOff youSo lay here beside me just hold me and don't let goOh, this feelin' I'm feelin' is somethin' I've never knownAnd I just can't take my eyes off youAnd I just can't take my eyes off you

This particular video was upload on YouTube by JENNCHAMB on Jan 28, 2010.

Sugar... xxx

Love and Peace always ~D

You are the first man that I have loved... your are the love of my life...
References:

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

“But soon I loved her completely and wished to possess her, own her, absorb her, eat her. I wanted her in my arms and in my bed, I longed she would open her legs to me” ~ Ian McEwan, In Between the Sheets

My music selection this evening is "Shalamar - Dancin In The Sheets" a 1980’s hit.

Mainly I was feeling this song on my drive home and wanted to get it out... Every evening after a long workday, I love to listen to “80’s on 8” an FM radio station. I swear, there definitely was some HOT LOVING going on in the 80’s if music from the time period tells us the story… What do you think?

Check out the article behind this image! It is excellent... Titled "Love Relationship as a Path to Healing" by Jeni Ambrose from her Blog - Leading-edge therapy for stress, trauma & PTSDhttp://www.jeniambrose.com/?page_id=76

Upload on YouTube by UnidiscMusic on Jul 11, 2012, the genre is R&B, synthpop, dance-pop and freestyle.

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Expression is delivered via a myriad of topics with humor, poetry, sarcasm and visual aesthetics such as photography and music videos.

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T. S. Elliot wrote that “Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion; it is not the expression of personality, but an escape from personality. But, of course, only those who have personality and emotions know what it means to want to escape from these things”.